Intro:

Kazakhstan beat Italy in a 3-2 thriller to reach the ITF Davis Cup quarter-finals on Sunday (8th March) in Astana, Kazakhstan.

Script:

Kazakhstan had reached the quarter-finals of the Davis Cup for the past two years but the hosts faced an uphill battle to qualify for a third successive time.

Kazakhstan were in fact 2-1 down against the favoured Italians following Saturday's doubles matches.

The hosts wasted no time in levelling the game as Kazakh number one Mikhail Kukushkin beat Andreas Seppi in straight sets to level the tie at 2-2 much to delight of the home crowd.

Nevertheless, they still required a victory from world number 130 Alexander Nedovesov against Italian number one Fabio Fognini in the deciding rubber.

And he produced an incredible upset as he beat Fognini in a marathon encounter that lasted nearly four hours - 7-6, 3-6, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5.

The victory prompted wild celebrations inside the arena.

The Italians now face a play-off for the right to stay in the top-tier World Group while Kazakhstan will meet Australia in July.